Our Mission To produce and release spiritual leaders who know and express the authentic Christ to Northwest Arkansas and the world. Our Vision To change the heart and soul of Northwest Arkansas and the world.
2 • September 2014
Contributors featured Authors
Editors
Kiara Goodwin Sheryl Potter Angela Hines Beth Davies
Debbie Griffin Kiara Goodwin, co-editor
Featured PHOTOGRAPHERS Emily Ayers Kyle McCarthy Ken Broom Christina Gross
Editor's Note
DESIGNER Arrin Black
copy editors Beth Davies Keisha Pittman Barbara Herring
As we turn the corner into Fall, we thought it was a great time for reflection and also anticipation, so we named this issue of the thread, “Looking Back, Looking Ahead.” Over the past 30 years there has always been much excitement and change at Fellowship. From the beginning, the focus to spread the Word of God locally, regionally, and globally has been at the forefront. In this issue we will meet the seven original Fellowship families, take a look at the work being done in
Fayetteville and Springdale, and get to know some of our congregation's members. In holding true to our vision to produce and release spiritual leaders, the thread is the work of volunteers who want to share the stories of what God is doing in the lives of our people. Thanks to each one of them for sharing their time and talents to produce this issue.
Fellowship • The Thread • 3
Contents Mission | Vision – 2 Contributors – 3 Fellowship 30 Years – 6 Fellowship Fayetteville – 14 The Realignment (Mosaic Outpost) – 16 Behind the Scenes (Katie Campbell) – 20 Meet the Residents – 24 A Testimony of Dudley Gideon – 38 SummerFest – 44 Released Leaders – 48
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Fellowship • The Thread • 5
by Sheryl Potter
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couples from left to right: Tim and Beth Kenyon, Boyd and Deborah Billingsley, Jim and Anne Arkins, Tom and Jan Stockdale, Robert and Carolyn Cupp photo by Christina Gross
Fellowship • The Thread • 7
T
om Stockdale remembers a Wednesday night church dinner more than three decades ago at the Baptist church in Bentonville where he and his wife, Jan, were members. He looked up from the table where they were sitting and saw their interim pastor conversing with two other men. “They’re talking about starting a new church,” Tom leaned over and whispered to his wife. “How do you know that?” Jan asked. “I just feel it,” was Tom’s simple answer. He approached the trio and made his intentions clear. “If you all are thinking about starting a new church, we want to be a part.” The three men, Robert Cupp, Jim Arkins, and R.D. Saenz stared at him in wide-eyed amazement. “I want to know more,” Stockdale told them, thus beginning what he now calls an incredible journey. Cupp had been on staff at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville for several years and was also president of the Arkansas Institute of Theology when he was called in the summer of 1983 to
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step in as interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Bentonville. It was there that he and his wife, Carolyn, renewed a friendship with Jim and Anne Arkins, a couple with a vision for a church like the one the Arkins had attended in Fort Worth several years earlier while Jim was a family practice resident. The Cupps were quite familiar with the Bible church concept that their new friends embraced. Robert Cupp had long been a close friend of Robert Lewis, pastor of Fellowship Bible Church of Little Rock, and as Cupp neared the end of a four-year-commitment he had made to the pastor of University Baptist Church, he felt God was leading him to pastor a group of believers in North Little Rock who wanted to establish a Bible church in their city. “We weren’t upset with the Southern Baptists,” Cupp noted, “we just wanted to do things that people at that time weren’t talking about.” Instead of adult Sunday school classes, Cupp dreamed of small groups that met in homes. He didn’t aspire to lead a church as its senior pastor but rather envisioned a body taught by multiple teaching pastors.
The Arkins’ experience at the Mid-Cities Bible Church in Fort Worth had fueled their desire for a similar type of church, a nondenominational, self-governing body that held Scripture as the highest authority. “It was our first experience in a nondenominational church, and it was the first time that we had ever heard the Word taught in a way that was so relevant.” On long drives back and forth from Fort Worth to Bentonville as her husband’s training ended, Anne recalls many conversations between the two of them about the possibility of starting a Bible church in Northwest Arkansas. “The more we talked, the more we were able to grasp the significance of this area and the possibility of having a regional church, not just a church that belonged to one city.” Following their move to Bentonville in the late 1970s, Jim Arkins established a medical practice, and the family joined First Baptist Church of Bentonville. As they became acquainted with different couples, they quietly began to share what God had shown them through their time in Texas, and to their surprise, found that
they were not alone in their desire for a church that was based less on denominational traditions and more on simple biblical truth. “We would visit Fellowship in Little Rock from time to time,” she recalled, “and every time we did, it would just fuel the fire in us.” Around 1979, a group of six couples decided that it was time to investigate the possibility of launching a new church and contacted Randy Marshall, one of the pastors of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, for advice. Marshall offered to meet with the group once a week for six weeks in the Arkins’ home. During that time, he explained the concept of Fellowship-style ministry and helped lay the basic groundwork for the fledgling congregation. At the end of the six weeks, the group was on its own, and with the Arkins being the only two in the group who had actually experienced the ministry of a Bible church firsthand, the group soon crumbled, its members going back to the Baptist church where they had met. “All of us were heartbroken,” Anne remembered. “We didn’t know what to do with this dream we felt God had given us.” It was several years later in 1983 before the vision would be reignited, during a period of time when the Cupps were being wooed by Fellowship Bible Church of Little Rock to plant a new church in North Little Rock. Robert had written a series of studies, “The Nature and Purpose of the Church”, that six new couples were studying. As they delved into the study of the early Church , there was a growing sense among the couples that perhaps the time had finally come for God to birth something new in Northwest Arkansas. Anne Arkins recalled her disappointment when the friends she and her husband had believed would be instrumental in helping establish a Bible church in Northwest Arkansas insisted that God was leading them southward to further His kingdom in Central Arkan-
sas. The two couples met one night for Chinese food in Springdale to discuss the future. “Robert encouraged us to continue pursuing our vision. He wished us well but remained convinced that he was not supposed to be the one to lead us.” Carolyn Cupp reflected on a conversation she had with her husband on one of their trips to North Little Rock. “I kept asking him, ‘What about the people we’ve fallen in love with in Bentonville? What will happen to them?’ Robert assured me that they would find someone. God would provide, and they would be okay.” “But I think we’re the ones God is sending them,” she remembered telling him. As he faced a decision that would shape his entire ministry, Robert had to look at numbers. “On the surface, it appeared to be a pretty clear choice. Do we join the other six families to start Fellowship Bible of Northwest Arkansas or
do we join 150 people to start Fellowship of North Little Rock? Going to North Little Rock seemed the wiser thing to do. There were already six or eight community groups in place and a group of people who understood the basic Fellowship model." And yet, as they prayed, both came to the realization that their hearts were for the people of Northwest Arkansas. “If you’re going to start a church, you have to love the people in the area you plan to work.” Both natives of East Texas, Robert and Carolyn Cupp had graduated from the University of Arkansas and loved the area. “I tell people when I came to the U of A, I had two conversions, one to Christ and one to Northwest Arkansas. This was my home and this is where I wanted to be.” In December 1983, the seven couples spent a week in focused prayer before coming together at the Arkins’ home to face the decision ahead of them.
"We didn't know what to do with this dream we felt God had given us." Fellowship • The Thread • 9
Each husband and wife was given an index card and asked to answer several questions anonymously: First, do you think there needs to be a new church that would simulate the New Testament first-century church and would you be willing to be a part of such a church? Second, how much could you contribute financially for the first year?" Three of the men, Robert Cupp, Jim Arkins, and R.D. Saenz, had agreed upon a figure – a number not shared with
anyone else in the group – that they felt would cover a small office space and a part-time salary for Cupp, who would continue in his role at AIT. The cards were compiled, and the three leaders retreated to the Arkins’ library to compile the results. “Robert and Jim came out first,” Anne remembered. “We waited and waited for what seemed like forever. When R.D. came out, there were tears in his eyes as he announced the result of the vote (whether to establish a new church) was a unanimous yes.” He then told the group that the amount the three leaders had agreed upon as the minimum necessary was
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$28,000. The group had pledged $28,500. “It was like God said, ‘Okay, this is what you’re supposed to do. I have confirmed to you the exact amount and have given you a little more just to show you that I’m in this. All of us were a basketcase.” Beth Kenyon remembered wondering why anyone had invited her and her husband Tim to be a part of this pioneering group. They were in their early 20s with an infant son. She taught school, and he was a carpenter. “We didn’t feel like we had very much to give at all.” The $65 a month they were able to pledge was a sacrifice for them but seemed like a pittance compared to the cost of launching a church. “It was a huge moment for us when we realized that what we were giving might not be much, but without it, the need would not have been met.” Jan Stockdale smiled as she remembered the first corporate celebration they shared that night. “It was a real worship experience.” The seven couples began meeting each Sunday in the Arkins’ living room with Beth Kenyon ministering to the children upstairs. At first, they kept their gatherings fairly quiet, but talk of “a secret church” began to spread throughout the community. “People knew that something was going on,” reflected Anne. “We were called ‘the underground church’ and really took some flak from a lot of people who didn’t understand.” Several of the original members met with resistance from family as well. Tom Stockdale noted that his mother was so concerned about her son and his family that she made a trip from her home in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to try to reason with him. “I had left a good position with Wal-Mart to go into the funeral business, and we were leaving the Baptist faith to start a church she perceived as very "cultish". She was Independent Baptist all the way through and a real Bible scholar. I remember her looking me in the eye and sternly asking, ‘Tommy, what are you doing?’” Stockdale invited her to attend one of their community group meetings and provided her with the study guide they were using. He recalled that she sat at the kitchen table during the entire meeting, focused intently on the discussion of group members gathered in the adjoining living room. “She was turning pages with a vengeance,” he laughed. “She wore out the paper on the Bible and the workbook, making sure it matched up and that we weren’t learning some cultish, weird thing.” After the meeting ended, Stockdale asked for her honest assessment. “Find anything out of line, Mom?” he asked her. “No, this lesson was biblical,” was her reply.
Three men – Cupp, Arkins, and Saenz, were soon elected
to be the governing body of this new church. For Jim Arkins, one of the most significant events in the birthing of Fellowship after the first elders were selected was a weekend trip to Neosho, Missouri, during which time some fundamental decisions were made. The three checked into a hotel and spent an entire weekend “hashing out” the church’s purpose statement and their positions on baptism, elder rule, and the inerrancy of the Bible. It was an intense weekend of working through issues and personal differences, Arkins recalled, with some very late nights and many pots of coffee. “We were three very strong-willed men with firmly held opinions,” said Arkins. “But we were committed to God, committed to the vision He had given us, and committed to each other. We weren’t driving back to Bentonville until we had come to some unanimous agreements.” There were some lively discussions that weekend as Cupp, the leader of the first elder board, challenged each man to defend his positions biblically. By the end of the weekend, the trio emerged united and with a clearer sense of the church’s purpose and doctrine. By May 1984, the group knew that the time had come to open their doors to their friends and neighbors. The first public service was held at the Benton County Health Services building on May 27, 1984 , and soon the seven couples grew to 17. People took turns setting up and taking down chairs and watching children. They outgrew their first home quickly and began renting space later that year at the Bentonville Seventh-Day Adventist Church. With more space, Anne recalled that the young congregation began “growing like crazy”. Classrooms were filled to overflowing with children, so additional space was rented from a preschool down the street where children were taken by bus every Sunday morning. “That was tough on everybody,” she reflected. Just three years later, Fellowship had again outgrown its available space and relocated to Oakdale Junior High in Rogers. Two services were held every Sunday morning in the new location which was able to accommodate around 200 adult worshipers and their children. Multiple services meant that attendees could “worship one, serve one”, a core value that was and continues to be foundational to Fellowship’s ministry philosophy.
ment and tools for children’s ministry had to be unloaded from a trailer and readied for use. Signs were placed by the street to announce that on each Lord’s Day, the brick schoolhouse was now a place of worship. And when the second service was finished, it had to all be taken down. It was exhausting and exhilarating for everyone involved. “Teamwork was crucial. It was the body of Christ coming together. Everybody had a part to play, something they were passionate about doing,” noted Jan Stockdale. She added that one of the questions that arose early on was how and when the church was going to establish various ministries. “Robert made it clear from the beginning that we would not announce a single need that we had but would wait for people to come to us and say, ‘I am passionate about children’s ministry or women’s ministry.’ Our response would be, ‘How can we equip and train you and release you to do that ministry?’” “That was so sweet to me, because it was the complete opposite of what I knew church to be,” she added. Her husband chimed in, recalling a time in a denominational church when their congregation had a need for boys’ Sunday school teachers. Against his better judgment, he agreed to teach a class of high school boys, an experience that only confirmed his suspicions that teaching was not his gift. “I read from the quarterly, and we had a lot of fun, but I doubt seriously those boys benefited from my teaching at all.” Allowing and encouraging people to operate within their
Five of the original seven couples, the Cupps, Kenyons, Stockdales, Arkins, and Billingsleys continue to be active within Fellowship, and all of them recall the enormous amount of energy it took to conduct weekly services in a facility that wasn’t their own. Every Sunday morning, hundreds of chairs had to be set out and songbooks placed on each seat. Equip-
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giftedness enabled them to serve in extraordinary ways. “Yes, we got tired and weary,” Beth Kenyon reflected, “but because we were doing what we were uniquely equipped to do, we were able to keep going and serving.” Robert Cupp knew that the entire weight of this rapidly growing body of believers could not rest on his shoulders alone and sought God’s direction in adding staff members who embraced the church’s mission and vision. His desire for a plurality of teaching pastors took shape during the time at Oakdale Junior High with the addition of Gary Harrell to the staff. Harrell and Cupp had ministered together at University Baptist Church, and the quality of Harrell’s character and teaching was already well known and proven to Cupp. Not long afterward, Mickey Rapier, a UBC collegiate pastor, came alongside Cupp and Harrell to become Fellowship’s first minister of worship. “As our staff grew, we had such strong quality people. Not only did I respect these leaders and their abilities and their talents, but I genuinely liked them,” Cupp reflected. “There was great trust and respect for everyone.” Strong elder boards also contributed to the health of the young church, Cupp asserted. “When we hit our stride about 1990 or so, I felt like we were enjoying the favor of God in an unusual way that was over and above our abilities. We weren’t that talented or smart, but God was blessing super abundantly and we were just hanging on for the ride. The whole team concept has been a rare and unusual blessing.” Keeping up with the pace of such a rapidly growing congregation presented a real challenge for the team, most of whom had wives and young children and were struggling to juggle the responsibilities of work and home. It wasn’t uncommon for Cupp, Harrell, or Rapier to preach three or four services, go home and lead two afternoon Discovery groups at home, and then be back to work on Monday morning to meet as a staff and evaluate how the weekend had gone. “It was a process of learning how to adjust to the pace and demands, yet not losing sight of the fact that we had families and growing children. There was never a dull moment,” he recalled. Just seven years after seven couples decided to step out in faith, the church purchased 26 acres on Pleasant Grove Road and began construction of a worship center and dedicated its first building on June 16, 1991. “We’ve been in a building campaign ever since,” Cupp noted. A second congregation was added in September 1998 with the addition of a
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Saturday night service that eventually became Mosaic. Since then, several other congregations have either formed at Fellowship or developed a close partnership with Fellowship including The Grove Church, Samaritan House Fellowship, White River Fellowship, New Heights Church, The Church at Springdale, Grace Church, and Celebrate Recovery. In 2011, Fellowship launched the BiLD Training Center to aid the development of spiritual leaders for service within our church, other ministries, the NWA community, the mission field and future church plants. In 2013, the training center celebrated the launch of its first church plant, Converge Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Many would look at the phenomenal growth and say that Fellowship has been a ministry success story, but Cupp is quick to assert that the measure of success does not lie in numbers. “Those of us in senior leadership are not impressed by the size of Fellowship. It is what it is, but the way we measure things is life change. Are we seeing the transforming power of Jesus Christ coming to bear on the lives of people? If we are spending all this energy and we have all of these resources, this large amount of land, these buildings, quality staff people, great elder leadership and then people’s lives were not being changed, I would despair. I would be the most frustrated and despairing of all men. But we are seeing life change. And we have consistently seen life change from day one. People coming to Christ and growing in their faith. People dealing with their hurts, habits and hang-ups. We’re seeing people grow and make biblical decisions rather than personal, greedy, selfish decisions. When you see people’s lives change before your very eyes, that’s what really charges me up. That’s what gets me excited about going back to work the next day. God is at work doing His work of life-change.”
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F
or 30 years, Fellowship Bible Church has been a part of what the Lord is doing in and through His people in Northwest Arkansas. People all over NWA are loving well, growing in faith, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with their neighbors. Fellowship has had one central campus and numerous small groups from Prairie Grove to Pea Ridge and from Siloam Springs to Eureka Springs. Now it’s time to begin a new and exciting chapter in ministry, the Fellowship Fayetteville Branch. The Fayetteville Branch will provide a new platform for ministry,
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with an 800 seat worship center. There will be more room in our current venue, and increase our capacity to reach people. God has graciously blessed us with an incredible donation of land on Hwy 112 just north of the Sam’s Club and several hundred families have stepped forward with gifts and commitments of all amounts. Now is the time for each family to consider their part in closing the financial gap so that when the permits are issued and the planning is done, your church will be financially able to pay as we go. The goal of opening the Fayetteville Branch with no long term debt is
within reach. Over 9 million dollars has been committed (4 million of that already in cash) Our best estimate at this time is that the campus cost will be 12.5 million dollars. Please prayerfully consider how much your family can generously give toward seeing this opportunity become a reality. The Lord is at work in Fellowship, and it’s our blessing and privilege to be a part of it. Fayetteville, it’s time… Fellowship, it’s time!
Your commitment is not a contract between you and Fellowship, but a goal for your family. This decision should be made after prayer and much contemplation as God leads you. For more information or to submit your gift online, visit our website www.fayetteville.fellowshipnwa.org
Fellowship • The Thread • 15 77,000 Population
26,000 Student
82% Unchurched
The Realignment Return to Center by Angela Hines
S
ince the founding of our nation nearly 230 years ago, the epicenter of any city was housed by government, education, business, the arts and most importantly, the church. This representation produced by these entities strengthened each other and created true community that withstood the test of time. Over the last few decades there has been a paradigm shift in community development that has caused the model used to establish a nation to be deemed outdated and obsolete. The resulting shift has placed key community components further and further away from its true “center”. Now, like the return of platform shoes and as high-tops fade, what was once old is now new again! The City of Springdale is reestablishing Emma Street as its center and the Mosaic body has accepted the challenge to join the city on a journey of epic proportions.
Epic |’epik| noun
A long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation. Oxford American Dictionary
Much like Nehemiah (a servant of God employed by the King of modern day Persia) whose heart was troubled when he was given news about the current state of the earthly Kingdom of God (Nehemiah 1), the invitation to take part in revitalizing downtown Springdale started with the heart of a servant- looking beyond himself to reestablish the infrastructure and strengthen and connect members of a community. Yet in our story, the servants are two men with one heart: to rebuild a city and a people by willingly going to seek, serve, and save the lost through the love of Christ. 16 • September 2014
We find the first servant a seasoned ministry leader currently serving as Congregational Leader and Teaching Pastor for Mosaic. Mark Schatzman’s dream has always been to plant churches. Schatzman and his wife Lisa dream of leaving behind a rich spiritual legacy by establishing daughter and granddaughter churches that span the region. As their busy season as parents to four children transitions to the joy of grandparenting, the plan for retirement is pretty clear for this couple. Lazy days on exotic beaches pale in comparison to the thrills of Mark and Lisa navigating highways and byways in a Winnebago on weekly trips to strengthen and encourage the offspring of the churches they’ve birthed. Mark envisions future generations as “autonomous yet connected” extensions, much like Mosaic, that extend the church beyond the walls of a building. Living and working in Northwest Arkansas for nearly two decades, the reality that the church was misaligned with the “center” emerged in a simple conversation with a gentleman who had no idea about Fellowship Bible Church and didn’t even know where Pleasant Grove Road was. “We think this is the epicenter, but it’s not,” commented Schatzman, “So how do we live, work, and play in a different way to strengthen how we go and tell?” The answer to this question along with Mark’s passion for church planting was to be further fueled by a fresh wind stirring in Matt and Martha Newman, as God nurtured the spirit of adoption in their hearts as a couple on a mission. Matt Newman first recognized the need to “return to center” two years ago as he pre-
Matt Newman (Mosaic Outpost) & Joel Hernandez (also has a church that meets at the Jones Center)
Fellowship • The Thread • 17
pared to complete the Missional Leadership Program where he was enrolled in Seattle. In a mid-semester conversation about his thesis, Newman shared that Fellowship reached roughly 10 thousand people on a weekly basis through cell groups and worship celebrations. While applauded for such a great accomplishment, a professor pressed Matt to think about those who were not being reached. The question that begged to be answered was, “If they are not coming to you, how are you going to them?” As God would have it, the answer to this question would be revealed weeks later in a seminar while accompanied by his wife Martha. During that lecture series, speaker and pastor, Matt Chandler presented missions in a new light. He presented the idea of missions as redemption for communities. This struck the hearts of Matt and Martha both. As they returned to NWA, the idea of redemption gave the Newman’s a new perspective on what it meant to live missionally. Purchasing a home in East Springdale, an area ripe for redemption, was a major step in the transition from a “Come and See” ministry to a “Go and Tell” lifestyle. Entertaining the idea of church planting in a day and time when many churches are going under daily (and nearly half of new church plants) is an act of great faith. When a leader with a heart to strengthen “go and tell” teams up with another leader with a heart to redeem a community, there are limited responses: 1)Plan-research other churches that utilize a model to foster this vision; 2) Pray for God to open doors and send others willing to serve shoulder to shoulder (Nehemiah 3); 3) Wait for God’s Kairos, His perfect timing. After much prayer and planning, the door opened. Recognized as the premier facility in NWA and known as the place where everyone is invited to learn, play and belong in 1995, The Jones Center serves as the crown jewel of the City of Springdale. It’s one of the greatest assets in bringing culture and life back into 18 • September 2014
“
Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell. T.C. Studd
the downtown area. The mission of the center is To bring people together by serving families, strengthening communities, and serving God; making it a better place to live. To fulfill this mission, the center hosts affordable after-school care, team sports, and other programs to support the family unit. In addition, the Jones Center hosts cultural events that celebrate and encourage ethnic diversity. In the Downtown Master Plan, the Jones Center adds value as an extension of a public gathering space, which is currently held by the Springdale Farmer’s Market on a weekly basis.
in Springdale by serving at events hosted on site, leading sports teams and group fitness classes. Most importantly, we must reflect the life of Jesus with a heart of compassion, hands that serve, and lips that continually share the redemption that has taken place in our lives, all to invite others to join in and see what God is doing here. Won’t you join us in this epic adventure as Mosaic partners with Springdale at the epicenter? For more information, contact Matt Newman or Mark Schatzman
VISION NIGHT-first Sunday of the month 5-7pm An assessment of how well the organization was carrying the mission, Jones Facebook group page Center Leadership identified an area facebook.com/groups/123417427839173/ they felt needed to be developed more: serving God. After sponsoring community events there, in a spirit of excellence and love, Mosaic was invited to assist in filling the need in this area. This revelation has opened the door to establish a hybrid church plant that merges the hearts of the leadership. The Mosaic Outpost, a rescue shop in the heart of Springdale, was birthed with a vision to seek REDEMPTION for the individuals, families, and community of East Springdale. The weekly Outpost Sunday night meetings, from 5-7pm at the Jones Center (in the War Eagle Room), are filled with food, fellowship, fun, and feasting on the Word of God. In partnership with camp War Eagle and the Jones Center community, Mosaic Outpost members live, work, and/or play Fellowship • The Thread • 19
volunteers Behind the Scenes
Katie Campbell by Sheryl Potter
20 • September 2014
Photos by Christina Gross
W
hen Katie Campbell and her husband Jim started attending Fellowship Bible Church in 1994, they immediately recognized the value of belonging to a small group. They had been long-time active members of Geyer Springs United Methodist Church in Little Rock, so when they retired and moved to Northwest Arkansas to be near one of their children, they plugged in immediately. It was in a small group led by the late Jake Phillips that Jim, a retired purchasing manager for Teletype, and his wife, a former rural mail carrier, heard of a need for volunteers to prepare Communicators each week. Jim and Katie were looking for an opportunity to serve and became regulars every Friday morning as the weekly communication tool was folded and inserts placed. “There were eight of us who gathered around the table in the church library when the offices were still in trailers,” she remembers. That group quickly became like family to them. “We celebrated birthdays and other special occasions together,” she remembers. “God has called several of
what Jim would have wanted. She was back at the table with her Friday morning family quickly, continuing the work that had come to mean so much to them. She found companionship in a Tuesday morning Bible study at the church and also assists with Learning Center crafts each week. Every Friday when the Communicators are completed and distributed around campus, she picks up a packet of materials to work on at home the following week. Sometimes it’s stapling parent cards to coloring sheets, other times cutting out pieces the children will color and glue. The long-time former Sunday school teacher and superintendent enjoys having something she can do from home in her spare time that facilitates the work of those who teach Fellowship’s children. Katie has also served as one of the “Food Chicks” for many years, a group of women who provide snacks each weekend for the worship team. “Some of those people are there before 7 o’clock on Sunday mornings and don’t leave until after 12,” she said. “That’s a long time to go without eating, so we try to make sure they have
them home over the years, so we’ve had plenty of times of mourning together, too.” Her husband passed away in 1999, and Katie said although it was difficult to forge ahead without her companion of 59 years, she knew that’s
something to keep them going as they lead us in worship.” Her acts of service extend far beyond the walls of the church. Led by Mel and Joan Fratzke, members of the Tuesday morning Bible study Fellowship • The Thread • 21
which meets every other week in the Lodge, spend many hours each year assembling boxes for Operation Christmas Child. They prepare the boxes for shipment to children around the world who otherwise might not experience the joy of Christmas. Long-time staff member, Wanda Scoggins, has worked alongside Katie, whom she calls “pure sunshine” for many years. “Miss Katie comes in each week with sweetness on her face and in her heart. I’m amazed and encouraged by the constant joy in her life that shines through – it’s very contagious!” At 93 years of age, Katie continues to live alone in Lowell not far from her daughter and son-in-law, Susan Lushbaugh and Terry Spencer. She continues to travel often to visit her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who live in other states and still drives herself around town. She is computer savvy and enjoys not only staying in touch with friends via email but also making greeting cards. "Staying busy is the secret to staying young" she insists. 22 • September 2014
She says her behind-the-scenes roles are extremely satisfying to her but deserving of no special accolades. “I’m just a small cog in a big wheel,” she asserts. “There are a thousand people just like me serving in various ministries. That’s what makes this church so wonderful.” Susan considers herself extremely blessed to have a mother who has spent her retirement living a life of service to others. “She is such a go-getter. She lives every day to the fullest and has always been such a great role model. She’s an amazing lady.” Within a few hours of our *publication release on Monday, September 8, 2014, Katie Campbell passed away. She was 93 years old and faithfully served the Lord through Fellowship. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Ms. Katie, as she was known to our Fellowship family, will be remembered for her sweet smile and the legacy she left behind.
"Every Friday when the Communicators are completed and distributed around campus, she picks up a packet of materials to work on at home the following week."
Give a friend a taste of Celebrate Recovery! Pick up the new Celebrate Recovery CD, CLEAN, recorded live here at Fellowship on Friday night, May 30, 2014. 16 tracks of Christ-centered hope, encouragement, and worship featuring our Celebrate Recovery band and vocalists.
celebrate|recovery Healing for life’s hurts, habits & hangups
Meets every Friday night 6:00 pm: Meal 7:00 pm: Worship
For more information visit: CelebrateRecovery.fellowshipnwa.org Fellowship Fellowship •• The The Thread • 23
Meet the
2014-2015
Residents The Fellowship Ministry Resident Program exists to fulfill the mission and vision of Fellowship Bible Church, to produce and release spiritual leaders who know and express Christ... This is accomplished through a 12 month training program designed for college graduates who are entering the professional or ministry fields. Each Resident joins a ministry team of Fellowship while also participating in the development aspects of the program. The program seeks to give each Resident real life ministry experience. Each will have ministry responsibilities on the Fellowship staff. This is not a “shadowing” program where the participants observe staff at work, nor is it an “assistantship” where the participants do more menial tasks of 24 • September 2014
ministry. Residents are assigned essential responsibilities that support the ongoing ministry at Fellowship. Although Residents are not paid, they do live in The Village on the Fellowship campus at no cost. The Residency also seeks to personally develop each participant in life and ministry skills. Each participant follows a structured development track that will enable them to grow in knowledge, character, skill, and passion. Our desire is to see them mature over the course of the year and become better prepared for their future, whether that be graduate school, a ministry position, or going into the business world. We have twelve Residents in this year’s class (6 men and 6 women) and are so excited to spend this year with them! Get to know them and where they are serving…
Jessica 2014-2015 resident
NAME Jessica Tolan Hometown Rogers, Arkansas College Attended University of Arkansas Degree Broadcast Journalism Ministry Focus
Sunday Morning Students (FSM & NES)
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I have wanted to be a Resident since I was a student in FSM. I've always been involved with student ministries, leading a cell group and working at Camp War Eagle. Despite my choice in major, it’s always been on my mind that I would love full time ministry. After I graduated, there was much prayer and many closed doors, with no desire to pursue journalism. I fully believe God closed every door to push me toward the Residency, but I could not be more happy/excited!
Seeing what FSM is like from the other side and seeing the heart behind it all! And seeing how God will use me in NWA and how He will stretch me and help me grow in big ways!
Fellowship • The Thread • 25
Zachary 2014-2015 resident
NAME Zachary Layton Hometown Rogers, Arkansas College Attended University of Arkansas Degree Marketing Ministry Focus Mosaic Students
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking Forward to this year?
Two years ago I was in Memphis on a spring break trip with the Jr. High students. One morning I ran an errand with Josh Lawson and we were talking about my plans for after school and he asked what my dream job would be and I said student ministry. So from there I really began to look into what that would look like for me to pursue that passion. I have grown up going to Mosaic, involved in the student ministry, so when the opportunity of being a Resident was available, I knew I wanted to jump in.
Hanging out and getting to know the students and help them develop their leadership skills and relationship with the Lord. Also, to have the wisdom and knowledge the Lord has gifted to faithful men and women shared with us through training and classes is exciting.
26 • September 2014
Emily 2014-2015 resident
NAME Emily Ayers Hometown Grove City, Pennsylvania College Attended John Brown University Degree Graphic Design & Photography Ministry Focus Celebrate Recovery
How did you decide to Do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Basically, I realized it was right for me because it was the perfect place for God to use my brokenness for His glory. And as much as that scared me (and still does), I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity for Him to use my life and my heart for others' hurts and stories.
I mean, I hear there's plenty of opportunities for free food.... But really, I am super excited about being part of the awesome community of Fellowship and seeing what lives God will change through Celebrate Recovery this year.
Fellowship • The Thread • 27
Cody 2014-2015 resident NAME Cody Ragland Hometown Marshall, Arkansas College Attended Lee University 2010; John Brown University 2014 Degree Pastoral Ministries; Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Ministry Focus The Table, Singles Ministry (20s & 30s)
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I really felt the Lord impress on my heart that I needed to take the year and do the Residency (back in February). I applied and met with Justin and Sam, and over the course of a few months was accepted.
Learning how to develop my leadership skills, as well as seeing how ministry is done in a healthy fashion. Also, learning how to disciple and release leaders into ministry.
28 • September 2014
Lauren 2014-2015 resident
NAME Lauren Stefanic Hometown Rogers, Arkansas College Attended University of Arkansas Degree Early Childhood Education Ministry Focus Sunday Morning Elementary
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I decided to do the Residency after realizing that God may have a different path for me besides being a public school teacher. Becky Fries and Beth Kenyon approached me about doing the Residency last fall, and it seemed like the perfect way to still have my passion for teaching and kids while growing in my walk with the Lord and leadership skills.
This year I am most looking forward to growing in knowledge through the classes the Residency offers and stretching myself to meet and work with new faces!
Fellowship • The Thread • 29
Cody 2014-2015 resident NAME Cody Woodward Hometown Pea Ridge, Arkansas College Attended University of Arkansas Fort Smith University of Phoenix Degree Marketing, MBA Ministry Focus The Table, Singles Ministry (20s & 30s)
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I heard about the Residency Program after speaking with Justin Rusinowski about a call to church planting.
I'm looking forward to understanding Fellowship's best practices and learning from leadership, as well as growing as a worship leader and becoming a better servant of Christ.
30 • September 2014
Maegan 2014-2015 resident NAME Maegan Hodge Hometown Springdale, Arkansas College Attended Ouachita Baptist University Degree Spanish Education Ministry Focus Mosaic Elementary
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
In high school I went to Mosaic and attended the Antioch summer discipleship program for two years. Through this opportunity I was able to build relationships with the Residents. They inspired me to want to become a Resident as soon as I graduated college. Upon graduation in May, I remembered that I had always wanted to be part of the Residency, and here I am.
I am really excited about the Spring Break Mission Trips. I went on a mission trip to Mexico with Mosaic during my sophomore year in high school. It was that trip that inspired me to pursue a degree in Spanish and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for these students during that time.
Fellowship • The Thread • 31
Andy 2014-2015 resident
NAME Andy Petry Hometown Cedar Hill, Missouri College Attended College of the Ozarks Degree Business Administration; Music Ministry Focus College
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I saw the Residency as an incredible opportunity to grow spiritually, intellectually, and practically in my ministry abilities. It also looked to be a very healthy place to become equipped for full-time ministry.
It's hard to say what I am most excited for in this program. The classes, mentorships, and services have me very excited; however, I think I'm most excited for the opportunity to develop relationships with the college students I'll be working with. I can't wait to see what God has in store for them personally and the ministry as a whole.
32 • September 2014
Rachel 2014-2015 resident
NAME Rachel McNally Hometown Joplin, Missouri College Attended University of Arkansas Degree Advertising & Public Relations Ministry Focus Mosaic Junior High
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
The Residency provides an opportunity to grow as a person and in my walk with the Lord. I would love to work in student ministry in the future and I believe the Residency will better equip me to do that.
I am most excited to build relationships with people, adults and students, in the Fellowship community. I have a passion for people and love to learn how I can best serve each individual uniquely. I look forward to being part of a community where I can do that.
Fellowship • The Thread • 33
Ethan 2014-2015 resident
NAME Ethan Michael Davis Hometown Huntsville, Alabama College Attended Hillsong International Leadership College Degree Music Ministry Ministry Focus Mosaic Students
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
After I graduated college, I came to visit family because I spent Christmas in Australia before moving back. My aunt, Terrie Tomlinson, works here at Fellowship and mentioned to me that the church had a Residency. I soon had coffee with Nick Roland, who I had previously known, and we talked about the idea of me coming on as a Resident for Mosaic Students. I spent a few weeks praying about it and really assessing if it was the right fit and to make a long story short‌well here I am!
Building relationships with students from the NWA area and helping to prepare them for college and their spiritual journeys through that crucial time in their lives.
34 • September 2014
Drew 2014-2015 resident NAME Drew Michael Robinson Hometown Bentonville, Arkansas College Attended University of Arkansas Degree B.A. in History, Minor in Philosophy & Religion Ministry Focus Sunday Morning Students (FSM & NES)
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Having always been interested in History and Literature, I really began to enjoy the difficulties presented in the Bible since late High School. After extensive study, the words of the Bible became more and more academic – they were TRUTH. It was evident that I needed to partake in anyway possible, and the Residency Program affords me a year to continue learning and practicing pastoral ministry in a specific ministry context.
Growing together with students, parents, leaders, and staff as we all partner together for Kingdom impact.
Fellowship • The Thread • 35
Alison 2014-2015 resident
NAME Ali Lambert Hometown Muskogee, Oklahoma College Attended University of Oklahoma Degree Nutritional Science Ministry Focus One-2-One and College Ministry
How did you decide to do the residency?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I heard about the program through my family, who attend Fellowship. I wanted to have a place where my faith could grow as I transitioned into the real world. I have a passion to work with people with disabilities so it was easily for me to choose the One-2-One ministry.
I am most looking forward to meeting all of the students in One-2-One and mentoring college girls.
36 • September 2014
Parents,
Watch for this in your news feed
Sometimes it's just hard to start conversations with your kids. Every Thursday night, when you gather around the table, let these help kick-start a conversation. Topics and questions will change. Follow us on social media to keep up with Dinner Time Dive! #justTALK
Fellowship • The Thread • 37
“
If you are not tithing, you are stealing from God.” Well that’s what Dudley Gideon heard in a sermon when he was 24 years old. He remembers it well and did not want to steal from God. So out of “fear and obedience” Dudley began to faithfully tithe ten percent to God. Fast forward five years… Dudley married Cheri, and along with her children they became a family of four. They never really discussed it, but tithing ten percent to the church was a priority. They paid it just as they paid each of their bills. During their first ten years together the children were busy with school, sports and activities and their marriage was a blur. They went back to school and both changed careers. Full and part time jobs were a norm for them during this season of life. Times were tough financially, but their tithing never wavered. Looking back, they can clearly see how God honored their faithfulness… Even though tithing was out of “duty” rather than joy, God was faithful to provide all that they needed and more. They somehow managed to keep the bills paid, send kids to camp and go on vacations (and pay cash). Their only debt was a vehicle and their home.
38 • September 2014
“It’s not about the money ...or is it?” a testimony of Dudley Gideon by Beth Davies & Dudley Gideon
the biggest mountain God moved for the Gideons was contentment.
Fast forward again… Dudley and Cheri are now in their forties with new careers, Dudley, a fireman and Cheri, a teacher. They have steady incomes that they had not experienced in the past. Life continued to change with a child entering college and Dudley’s “mid-life crisis.” He had worked hard for everyone else the past ten years and now they were at a place in their lives where he thought he would spend some time and money on himself. But Cheri decided one day to give some of “his money” away. This was not Dudley’s plan and he was not happy about it! Cheri had called in a $20 gift to KLRC during
the Shar-a-thon. She called Dudley at work that day to tell him – Dudley says, “I felt like she knew I was not going to be happy about it, so she was preparing me since I had a 24 hour shift to get over it. I was not happy but did not let her know; it was not worth an argument.” See, back then, this is how Dudley viewed giving. He thought that he was only supposed to give his ten percent to his church and the other 90 percent was for him, and that giving to other ministries was for “the rich people”. He believed that folks who have the money to spend on the luxuries of life should fund KLRC. His measly twenty bucks wouldn’t make a difference to them. It would not even make a dent in the water bill! And so, they did not make good on the $20.00 promise Cheri made to KLRC. Two to three years into Dudley’s mid-life crisis, God got his attention through a serious motocross accident that forever changed every aspect of his life. The following 18 months were filled with uncertainty concerning his ability to continue in his career. Medical bills were piling up; every bill was being denied by the insurance company for the first six months after the accident. Dudley and Cheri continued to tithe regularly, but now it Fellowship • The Thread • 39
was out of obedience rather than out of fear. Yet, they failed to realize or acknowledge the hand of God on their lives. As time went on, insurance issues were being resolved and Dudley was able to return to work. He and Cheri had arranged to faithfully pay each bill on time. Eventually companies even called and thanked them for this and settled for less money. Some even forgave their remaining debt. By January 2007, they were completely free from medical debt. Strangely enough, while they were in the middle of paying the medical bills, it seemed like every other month there was around $50 extra that Dudley and Cheri were able to use to support other ministries. They don’t know how it happened, but God had changed Dudley’s heart in the area of giving. Now he and Cheri were both giving out of thankfulness. For the next three years, they were able to increase their giving little by little, focusing on 5 or 6 ministries in addition to tithing to church. Even still, they were not fully aware of how God had carried them through the past years.
and Cheri knew folks directly impacted by this ministry, so they decided to go, as this opportunity was on a more personal level. This marks their first experience in joyful giving; their giving was no longer out of fear of the law or an act of obedience, but this was giving out of pure joy for what God has done. Dudley felt the need to continue to support this ministry and looked forward to returning.
While attending their third annual Loving Choices Banquet, something started stirring inside Dudley. He “We aren’t perfect, but we strive was uncomfortable all night to be obedient even when we and didn’t understand what don’t feel like it, and He continues to be faithful. When we are was going on inside of him. obedient, we set ourselves up to Separately, as the speaker be open to the Holy Spirit. He was sharing, the Holy Spirit will do the changing.” was prompting both Dudley - Cheri Gideon and Cheri to give an amount above and beyond what they had previously given; they were being asked to give sacrificially. Dudley had heard Fellowship talk about sacrificial giving for more than a decade and he basically tuned it out…until now. After they In October 2010, some were challenged to give a spefriends had extra ticketed cific amount, Cheri and Dudseats at a table at the Loving ley discussed the decision; Choices Banquet and invited they compromised by giving the Gideons to attend. Dudley half of that suggestion. This 40 • September 2014
was significantly more than they’d given before and definitely fell into their definition of sacrificial giving. As Dudley wrote the check, he still felt uncomfortable but at the same time peaceful. Leaving that night with mixed emotions, he thought “Is this what sacrificial giving feels like or is this the feeling of being able to bless Loving Choices out of my blessing, or both?” The feelings were definitely unfamiliar. Ironically, over the following weeks, this blue collar worker was able to work several overtime shifts, which provided more than three times the gift they had donated. This amount of overtime isn’t common and hasn’t ever happened to them again. They didn’t recognize this at the time, but upon reflection, the Gideons see the blessing.
work overtime. This was good news, but it did keep him from a much anticipated motorcycle ride with friends. Those friends were involved in a serious accident on that ride. He doesn’t fully understand why things happened this way, but having been in that motocross accident earlier, Dudley was recognizing the sovereign hand of God in every aspect of his life. All that he has, including health and monetary things, belongs to God. “I am simply a steward of what He has given me. Since I have come to this way of thinking, I feel more responsibility to not waste His resources”, says Dudley. Dudley and Cheri were at a season in their lives where they were beginning to have more income available and needed to have a budget so that their “extra” money would not be spent needlessly The following year they again and be available for giving. gave sacrificially – this time This budget was very loose with more confidence and but would work for now. assurance that they were giving from the heart. Later Enter Financial Peace Unithat night Dudley was given versity, a class offered by an unusual opportunity to Fellowship. Taking this class
changed their view of money, budgeting and generous giving even more. They learned to give themselves a cash allowance each week. Cheri was shocked at the amount of money she spent each month on Sonic and Starbucks alone. Spending only cash on “blow money” items saves them roughly $100-$200 each month. Dave Ramsey talks a lot about “needs verses wants” and they started taking a closer look at what they need and what they want. Dudley quips, “Now don’t think that our life is no fun; we go many places and have a lot of fun but we always keep our budget in mind. Our budget is more structured at this point, but realistic enough to work for us”. Shortly thereafter, Dudley and Cheri took Fellowship’s Align class where they discovered how God wants their hearts to be aligned to His heart… in generous giving. It’s not the amount of giving that is important. The important thing is the heart with which we give. Over the past decade, God has been consistently at work aligning their heart’s desires with His desire for their hearts. Dudley and Cheri have continued soaking up more and more about wise stewardship. The Estate Planning class showed them the importance of having a family plan and a “Kingdom plan” for Fellowship • The Thread • 41
the future. They are in the process of setting up a Living Trust so that generous giving can continue long after they are gone. Freedom Five One Ministries has helped them make financial decisions about retirement, too. Dudley says, “I don’t want to leave you with the idea that we have it all together in any area of life. We do not, especially where finances are concerned. We have struggled through the years and still struggle to make this thing work. We have made poor decisions about some major purchases and still struggle to agree on how to budget, spend and give our
money. We were late bloomers with our careers so we have a lot of financial catching up to do and God has proven over and over that even with faith the size of a mustard seed, He can and does move mountains.” The Gideons want to tell this story because they think it is important to talk about money matters and encourage men to lead their families in being accountable to God, and to each other, for the financial peace of their families. They want to encourage you to ask God to guide you to a place of financial peace and contentment with who you are in Him.
BiLD Training Center • Fall 2014 Opportunities view all classes offered at bild.fellowshipnwa.org
42 • September 2014
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Fellowship • The Thread • 43
SummerFest Day Camp welcomed over seven hundred children to our campus for a week of fun, fellowship, and exploring the arts.
44 • September 2014
Fellowship • The Thread • 45
46 • September 2014
Fellowship • The Thread • 47
Released Leaders by Kiara Goodwin
Simon
When Simon Foster graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in marketing, he already knew that wasn’t his calling. His heart was in student ministry. After graduation he pursued a student pastor internship in Texas for a couple of years, followed by a college ministry opportunity in Australia. When Simon returned to Virginia he was ready to pursue ministry long-term in a place where he could build lasting relationships. He made a promise to himself that he was going to stay on the east coast, where he grew up, and he prayed for God to give him that plan. He interviewed at 15 churches across the region, and none felt right. Not sure what to do next, he called Keith, his mentor and the former student pastor at Denton Bible Church in Texas. While Simon was there as an intern Keith told him that if he ever wanted to pursue full-time student ministry that he would help Simon through the process. Keith circled the names of four churches on a list of 50 that he believed would give Simon the kind of opportunities he would enjoy. None of them were on the east coast, but instead in Oklahoma, Texas, and Northwest Arkansas. Simon interviewed at the four churches, and Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas turned out to be the perfect fit. Simon knew that Fellowship was where he was supposed to be when he 48 • September 2014
witnessed the mission and vision in action. As he walked around campus he saw high school students hanging out with younger students. Produced and released leaders were evident to him from day one. “I thought, ‘There’s something good here and I want to learn from this,’” Simon said. He had been seeking a place where he could spend time with men of all ages for their own growth so that they could then pour into a younger guy. When he found that at Fellowship, he was thrilled. “It just makes sense to me that I would spend time with a dad who’s 60 years old, a friend who’s 35 years old, a young businessman who’s 28 working in [the corporate] world, a 19 year old college student, a 17 year old high school student, and a 13 year old junior high student.” Simon was excited to be a part of a team with a common world-view of thinking beyond themselves as they made disciples among younger men. After eight years as a student pastor
at Fellowship, Simon starting wondering if the decision to be a student pastor rather than a marketing professional was still the right decision for him. He found that the dayto-day challenge of his job was gone and, like so many of us, he wanted to know what God had in store for the next season of his life. Simon prayed and surrounded himself with good friends from whom he sought wise counsel. He started to ask the hard questions: Is it ministry for the long haul, or should I think about going back into marketing? Does age matter? Should I just say it doesn’t matter how old I am and continue to be a student pastor? Through friends and mentors Simon was reminded of how God has uniquely wired him. “One friend looked at me and said, ‘Your identity is in Christ, and in Christ He’s created you to be a pastor.’”, Simon says, “When you’re in it, it’s confusing and you start questioning things. But God uses people, His Word, and time in prayer to lay it all out.” And that’s exactly what happened. God continued to faithfully produce fruit in Simon’s ministry at Fellowship, which kept him
excited, growing, and confident that he was on the right career path for him. A little over a year later a new opportunity arose, an opportunity on the east coast. Simon was faced with the decision of staying in the place he had come to love, with the people he loved, doing the thing he loved, or leaving it all to go somewhere new. It was a chance to pioneer a discipleship ministry model he believed in somewhere that it had not been done. After much prayerful consideration, Simon and his wife, Adriane, agreed that this was right for their family. “I just know that God is calling me and my family to go to the east coast and to do this,” he confidently states. In June, Simon and his family left Bentonville, Arkansas for Charlotte, North Carolina. As a part of a churchplant, Simon is pioneering the student ministry at Life Fellowship Church. Simon admits that 10 years ago, when he arrived at Fellowship Bible Church, he was a prideful young man. Being on a team was a humbling experience that had a profound impact on his ministry. “Being at Fellowship taught me that it’s not about me, it’s not about celebrating the work of Simon. It’s about the team doing it together. We can reach more people and do it better when it’s not about me.” Going into his new role at Life Fellowship, Simon’s goal is to grow the ministry and surround himself with a team. “There is something about having people that are different. It will draw a different crowd and reach different people,” he says, thinking specifically about his time working alongside the FSM team. Simon firmly believes that these last 10 years, being equipped and growing in Arkansas at Fellowship Bible Church, have prepared him for this next journey. “I’m thankful that Fellowship gave me the opportunity to be a pastor. They took a chance on someone that they didn’t know and I think it’s worked out okay,” he says with a smile. Simon is certain that he wouldn’t have been ready five years ago. God knew he needed the time in Northwest Arkansas, at Fellowship, to be equipped for the next step in his journey. He admits that it’s really hard to
leave something as great as Fellowship, “For me, leaving something this good only makes sense if you want to go do this somewhere else.” He’s excited to think about what it’s going to be like to combine the strengths of Life Fellowship with a Fellowship Bible Church style of ministry. “Because I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in the past, I know He’s going to be faithful in the future,” Simon says, “When I’ve followed He’s lead, even though I’ve ended up places I didn’t think I would be, God has been faithful. Even though I think I have plans, He’s been faithful to take me where He wants me to go.”
Pam
Seventeen years ago the Meyer family moved to Northwest Arkansas. One afternoon Pam took her young daughter to a Bentonville park to play. While they were there she met a woman who invited her to join a women’s Bible study group at Fellowship Bible Church. Not knowing many people, Pam decided to go. She
instantly loved the sense of belonging that she felt. After some time she started volunteering, serving leaders in a hospitality role. Then her small group leader moved and the women’s ministry team asked her to step into that leadership role. She soaked up all that she could, learning the key ingredients to be a successful small group leader. Eventually she found herself in the role of a core leader. She was planning events, coordinating groups, encouraging leaders, and doing so much more. After 10 years of serving, a staff position on the Women’s Ministry team opened up, and Pam was the natural choice. Vocational ministry was never in the plans for Pam. “It was something that happened when I was doing my life,” she explains, “Our life is ministry. As we walk alongside others, ministry happens.” Even though vocational ministry was not the life she had planned, she is confident that it is the life God has uniquely equipped her for. She says she can be certain of this because she trusts and believes what God says about her identity. “Knowing your story really is the
Fellowship • The Thread • 49
catalyst for seeing how God works in the midst of it all.” This wasn’t something Pam inherently knew, but something that she discovered as she worked with and equipped others. Pam explains that everyone, every woman, struggles with identity things, but that it’s when you start believing what God says about who you are that you discover your ministry. “Every person has a ministry,” she says, “they just might not have found it yet.” Little did the Meyer family know that their ministries were about to change. When their close friends moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to start a church, Pam and her husband Chris celebrated with them and supported them in their new mission field. When the same friends asked the Meyers to consider moving with them, they quickly said no. They had committed to pray and support, not go. But one night Pam and Chris looked at one another and realized that they had said no without even prayerfully considering going. They wanted to make this decision as an entire family, since it would greatly impact their two teenage children, Madison and Bryce. All four members of the Meyer family committed to individually pray about moving to Charlotte for 30 days. At the end of the 30 days of prayer they regrouped in a family meeting. The decision was unanimous. They were moving to North Carolina. Pam is amazed at how God worked in their hearts individually to confidently bring them to this decision together, especially her two teens. The decision was made, the plan was set, they were moving. They were moving to a place where they didn’t have jobs or a home or hadn’t even visited yet. But God is in the details. The Meyers visited Charlotte and Life Fellowship Church and were assured that this was to be their new ministry. God then provided for Chris to continue his job long distance, only returning to the Bentonville office once a month. And in September, the Lord provided in a huge way for Pam. The director of the women’s ministry at Life Fellowship Church was being relocated due to her husband’s job. She called and explained that God had laid Pam on her heart as the person to take her position. “He chose
50 • September 2014
me,” Pam shakes her head, “I don’t know why, but He chose me.” The lessons that God has taught Pam while at Fellowship Bible Church have shaped her vision for women’s ministry at Life Fellowship Church: to produce and release leaders, equip women to build the body of Christ, and encourage them to discover their ministry. “If we’re doing all that we do for the honor and the glory of the One who made us, then we’re always in ministry,” Pam continues, “It’s awesome when you realize that we all have work to do for the Kingdom, wherever we are.” Leaving Northwest Arkansas is not an easy thing for Pam and her family. They have spent years building meaningful relationships and “doing life” with people that they deeply love here. But in producing and releasing leaders, leaving is part of the process. As Pam is being transplanted to be fruitful elsewhere, she is encouraged to see Sarah Schafer, another released leader, stepping into her role. She’s also thankful that Fellowship is a place that takes a chance on people, on stories, and on relationships in order to produce and release leaders. “If someone doesn’t believe in you, you never have the opportunity to reach your full potential,” Pam says, “And I realize that a lot of people haven’t had the opportunity to be a part of a community-type ministry, where it’s not just about who you are and what you do, but about the people around you and that God uniquely designs that.” Giving others the opportunity to experience this type of community is what drives Pam and her family to take Fellowship’s DNA to a new place. Leaving is difficult and scary, but Pam says that she wants her life to be one that exalts the Lord with reckless abandonment. She looks to Paul’s life and the way he followed God’s calling as a model for her own ministry. “Change is scary, but what I know is that God has called me beyond this place and to stay would be disobedient,” Pam pauses, “even though I love this place with all my heart.”
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